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The View from Connor's Hill: A Memoir
Here is the captivating prequel to Well Done, Those Men , Barry Heard’s much-loved, deeply moving account of life as a Vietnam veteran. This memoir takes us back into the heart of Heard’s experiences as a boy and a young man in Australia during the 1950s and 1960s. Colorful, poignant, and often very funny, The View from Connor’s Hil l reveals a young man who, among the devastation of loss and constant upheaval, celebrates the joy of living in the bush, and delights in the love of his faithful dog Rover and his headstrong horse Swanee. Capturing the detail of a lost world of country and suburban life in Australia — a world of matinees, country dances, and manual dunnies — Barry Heard delivers his memories with an unwavering honesty and candor.
269 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 26, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 25, 2018
Once upon a time there was an adventurous lad who lived in the country, made cubby houses, and got up to a lot of mischief.
The book, The View from Connor’s Hill, could easily be compared to a Mark Twain novel. Here we have Australia’s version of Tom Sawyer.
Admittedly, the most pleasure I received in reading Connor’s Hill was in the first two thirds of the story, when Barry was a young bloke keen on impressing girls, going fishing and sheering sheep. He’s bush skills and ingenuity will astonish you.
My favourite parts had to be the roller-coaster relationship he had with his pet animals, including a stubborn horse and quizzical dog. It reminded me of the legendary TV show Skippy.
City folk might view young Barry as a larrikin, but he has a tenderness and maturity beyond his age.
The book, The View from Connor’s Hill, could easily be compared to a Mark Twain novel. Here we have Australia’s version of Tom Sawyer.
Admittedly, the most pleasure I received in reading Connor’s Hill was in the first two thirds of the story, when Barry was a young bloke keen on impressing girls, going fishing and sheering sheep. He’s bush skills and ingenuity will astonish you.
My favourite parts had to be the roller-coaster relationship he had with his pet animals, including a stubborn horse and quizzical dog. It reminded me of the legendary TV show Skippy.
City folk might view young Barry as a larrikin, but he has a tenderness and maturity beyond his age.
April 20, 2024
This was a lovely funny read.set around Omeo and of a time it seems not that long ago but also completely foreign to now
February 14, 2015
This is a book about my generation, growing up in Austraia in the 1950 and 1960s. I can identify with Barry right from the start, even though he became a country boy and I never really left the city. The thing is, it's a cry from the current technoworld going at lightspeed for something that had been lost: old fashioned values, manners, grace, time for people, community, work ethic, respect, discipline. They were there, we are in danger of changing history to the point where they will cease to exist, even in memories.
The loss of the pristine environment, a victim to progress, to technology, to the garnering of wealth and power. If only we could turn this clock back rather than imposing more and more soulless rules and regulations as a sop to those that still think these things are important.
And the National Service. I was in the ballot, I was terrified of being called up. God knows what I would have done in Vietnam, probably done a runner I reckon. I had mates who came back changed. I feel as If i want to give Barry a hug and cry with him over our lost innocence. But I can't, so just read his damn book will you.
The loss of the pristine environment, a victim to progress, to technology, to the garnering of wealth and power. If only we could turn this clock back rather than imposing more and more soulless rules and regulations as a sop to those that still think these things are important.
And the National Service. I was in the ballot, I was terrified of being called up. God knows what I would have done in Vietnam, probably done a runner I reckon. I had mates who came back changed. I feel as If i want to give Barry a hug and cry with him over our lost innocence. But I can't, so just read his damn book will you.
September 22, 2012
A born story-teller, Barry Heard evokes the innocence and humour of country life of mid-20th century Australians. This book is the prequel to Well Done Those Men, but it can be read as a stand-alone novel.
July 21, 2011
A good read, A interesting read.
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October 31, 2018In The View from Connor’s Hill, Heard has the distinctive voice of an Australian storyteller, a yarn spinner who can make you laugh on one page and cry on the next.
Carol Middleton, Australian Book Review
With a doggedly simple yet appealing voice, Heard draws the details of bush life with affection and honesty.
Dianne Dempsey, The Age
It is a simple story told with artless humility and great humanity.
Sydney Morning Herald
He has the knack of putting together a compelling narrative, to which he brings sensitivity, feeling for people and the environment, along with an eye for landscape.
John Farquaharson, Canberra Times
This book is a delightful read that anyone brought up in the country will feel an affinity with as he progresses though youthful adventures ... buy it, read it and you will feel part of this lad's life as he grows to be a man — a man called on to fight for his country.
Michael Ray, Book Nook
One of the things that moved me in this book was Barry's description of the trees, and the bush which helped to heal him.
John Morrow, Inverell Times
Carol Middleton, Australian Book Review
With a doggedly simple yet appealing voice, Heard draws the details of bush life with affection and honesty.
Dianne Dempsey, The Age
It is a simple story told with artless humility and great humanity.
Sydney Morning Herald
He has the knack of putting together a compelling narrative, to which he brings sensitivity, feeling for people and the environment, along with an eye for landscape.
John Farquaharson, Canberra Times
This book is a delightful read that anyone brought up in the country will feel an affinity with as he progresses though youthful adventures ... buy it, read it and you will feel part of this lad's life as he grows to be a man — a man called on to fight for his country.
Michael Ray, Book Nook
One of the things that moved me in this book was Barry's description of the trees, and the bush which helped to heal him.
John Morrow, Inverell Times
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews